2019 Porsche Panamera Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　

What's new

Panamera GTS and Sport Turismo GTS added to the lineupGTS twin-turbo V8 makes 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torqueNew GTS comes standard with many performance upgradesPart of the second Panamera generation introduced for 2017

　　Starting with the 911, Porsche has long refused to follow the lead of other manufacturers and conform to the norms of a specific class. The Panamera is no exception to that philosophy, as it's as much of a luxury-car outlier today as when it was introduced in 2010. Since then, its superb combination of luxury and performance has made other manufacturers take notice and adapt their lineups to go head to head with Porsche's luxury four-door.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Porsche Panamera 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$209/mo  for Panamera Base

　　Panamera Base

　　4 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $90,900 MSRP4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) (Most Popular) - $86,300 MSRP4 Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $97,100 MSRP4 Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $97,600 MSRP4 E-Hybrid 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $102,900 MSRP4S 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $104,000 MSRP4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $106,900 MSRP4 E-Hybrid Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $107,400 MSRP4S Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $110,200 MSRP4S Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $115,300 MSRPGTS 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $128,300 MSRPGTS Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $134,500 MSRPTurbo 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $151,500 MSRPTurbo Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $155,500 MSRPTurbo Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $161,900 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $186,200 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $190,200 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $196,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　For 2019, the Panamera gets Porsche's popular GTS treatment, which combines performance hardware and styling touches, normally optional on other trim levels, and bundles them together at a lower price point than if they were selected individually. The GTS is outfitted with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (453 horsepower, 457 lb-ft) that positions it right between the already potent 4S model and the nearly mental Turbo model.

　　As with all other Porsches, the Panamera has nearly infinite levels of customization to suit the priorities and tastes of many different buyers. Of course, there is some stiff competition from Porsche's German competitors, with BMW offering its intense M5 sport sedan and Audi the similarly shaped, and just as potent, RS 7 for less money than a comparably powerful Panamera Turbo. Even so, the Panamera remains difficult to fault, no matter which trim you choose.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Porsche Panamera as one of zzdcar' Best Luxury Cars for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.0 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Porsche Panamera 4S (turbo 2.9L V6 | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.0 / 10
Driving	9.0
Comfort	8.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	7.0

　　

Driving

9.0

　　No car this big and heavy has any business performing on this level. It's mind-boggling how capable the Panamera 4S is on a fun, winding road. Anyone who claims it's not a "real" Porsche clearly hasn't driven one. And this is just a single step up from the base model in a very deep lineup.

　　

Acceleration

9.0

　　Among similarly priced luxury sedans, the Panamera 4S is one of the quickest, reaching 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds. The power is breathtaking, and the shifts are impressively smooth. Engaging launch control will fulfill your adolescent racer dreams, and the car sounds great, too.

　　

Braking

8.5

　　Stopping from 60 mph required only 101 feet, which is shorter than any rival's result. Under heavy braking, it remains composed and controllable. The pedal is on the soft side but very trustworthy. When the Panamera is driven hard, some odd clicking can be heard and felt, but it doesn't affect performance.

　　

Steering

8.5

　　The steering effort is light, and the driver receives little feedback. But with a car that handles as well as this, it's really not an issue. Even though this sedan is big, the steering is very accurate and you feel as if you can place it precisely where you want in a turn.

　　

Handling

9.0

　　The handling is precise in all situations. When driving the Panamera 4S on a fun road, you quickly forget that it's a 4,125-pound luxury sedan. It feels much lighter and smaller. There's seemingly no limit to the amount of grip from the sticky tires and all-wheel drive. It's almost as rewarding to drive as a 911.

　　

Drivability

9.0

　　Not only does the Panamera perform like a smaller sports car, but it maneuvers like a smaller sedan, too. The turning radius is narrower than you'd expect, and it's easy to squeeze it into a tight parking spot.

　　

Comfort

8.5

　　The Panamera's performance demanded some concessions. The ride quality isn't as luxurious as that of some rivals, and climate control is fussier than it needs to be. But none of these issues comes even remotely close to being a deal-breaker.

　　

Seat comfort

9.0

　　Porsche's seat game is strong. Whether you're short or tall, the range of adjustments will accommodate you. The padding is thin, but the front seats are so well-shaped that all-day comfort is guaranteed. For hotter climates, we'd suggest springing for the optional ventilated seats.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　As expected, the Panamera 4S doesn't ride quite as smoothly as its less athletic rivals, but it is still exceptionally comfortable. Small, high-frequency bumps are almost undetectable, and broader undulations are well-managed.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.5

　　Wind noise on the highway is absent, and the engine is well-muffled when you're just cruising. Because of this near-silence, you'll hear the summer performance tires more distinctly, but at no time does the noise become intrusive, even on coarse asphalt.

　　

Climate control

7.0

　　The air conditioning cools the cabin rapidly, and the vent coverage is excellent. Using the system isn't as simple as it should be, and it takes a few button and touchscreen commands to access. The touchscreen-only control of the center vent direction is ridiculously complicated.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　The new Panamera's interior is a vast aesthetic improvement, but many of the controls aren't easy to use and can be a source of driver distraction. Otherwise, the cabin is as luxurious, modern and refined as those of its contemporaries.

　　

Ease of use

6.0

　　Thankfully, this generation Panamera forgoes the mass of buttons of its predecessor, but some difficulties remain. The operation of the capacitive touch "buttons" takes the driver's attention away from the road, and the gear selector takes some getting used to.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.5

　　The Panamera is easy to live with. The doors are fairly short in length and open wide in tight spots. They remain in position throughout the stroke rather than at preset detents. Rear passengers will need to dip their heads slightly to clear the sloping roof, but only if they're tall.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　The primary controls are well-placed, and the range of seat adjustments ensures an optimal position for drivers of any size. Unfortunately, we encountered some glitches in the seat memory functions in which the system would not accept new adjustments.

　　

Roominess

8.0

　　Even though you get a sporty, wraparound feeling from the cockpit, the Panamera is still very spacious. There's a wealth of headroom. The rear seats will easily accommodate people over 6 feet, and the long-wheelbase version adds even more space for tall passengers.

　　

Visibility

8.5

　　The view out of the front is very good. The front roof pillars are well-contoured to minimize obstruction in left turns. The pillar between the front and rear seats is rather thick and requires craning your neck to see past it. The rear window affords a good view, and the surround-view camera eliminates any guesswork.

　　

Quality

8.5

　　The interior materials are befitting a car of this class and price, and there's a sturdy construction underneath. We drove the car exceptionally hard, however, and noticed a few new creaks afterward.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　Though it's the "hatchback" in the luxury-sedan class, the Panamera doesn't reap the rewards usually associated with that body style. There is plenty of space for luggage and cargo but not as much as the specifications suggest. Again, these are fairly small concessions for a sporty car.

　　

Small-item storage

6.5

　　The door pockets, center armrest bin and glovebox are all on the small side, leaving you limited options for your personal effects. The small and large cupholders are good at securing bottles and cups.

　　

Cargo space

8.0

　　With 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, the Panamera offers generous space on paper. In practice, the trunk is shallow, and the high liftover height is an impediment. The lack of remote seatback releases also deducts points.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

　　The car seat anchors are hidden but easily accessed. Taller front passengers may keep a rear-facing car seat from fitting in the back, but forward-facing seats won't be a problem.

　　

Technology

7.0

　　The operation of the Panamera's many features isn't as intuitive as in its rivals. The infotainment interface is the biggest offender and has been a persistent Porsche gripe. The company claims that these are secondary in a "driver's car." Still, we expect more in a premium luxury vehicle.

　　

Audio & navigation

6.0

　　Even with the new infotainment system, it trails the competition. The audio quality was decent but not impressive. The $8,000 Burmester audio upgrade would likely cure the issue. We also observed sporadic glitches with the controller knob not working when pushed.

　　

Smartphone integration

6.0

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and easier to use than Porsche's system. Touchscreen inputs worked all the time, but the customizable steering wheel button did not.

　　

Driver aids

9.0

　　The advanced safety features are well-tuned for a sporty car like this. False alarms were never triggered, and the stability control intervention was graceful. The adaptive cruise control was also smooth and maintained its speed even on steep downhill grades.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　Voice controls in the native powertrain control module unit weren't as easy or intuitive as Apple CarPlay's, but this is true of most systems. However, the voice controls did faithfully execute our commands.

　　

Which Panamera does zzdcar recommend?

　　With the range of Panamera models available, it is difficult to recommend just one. We'd keep it simple, and relatively affordable, and choose the wide-ranging capabilities of the 4S. While it lacks the power and raw performance of the new GTS and longstanding Turbo models, the lower-priced 4S still offers enough performance to satisfy the driving enthusiast as well as a buyer looking for a comfortable and luxurious sedan.

　　

2019 Porsche Panamera models

　　The 2019 Porsche Panamera is available in three different body styles with five different powertrains. Equipment levels change as you climb up the ladder, but no matter which one you choose, each Panamera is highly customizable. Essentially, if you're buying a Panamera, you're spoiled for choice.

　　At the bottom of the ladder, there's the only rear-wheel-drive Panamera, the base trim. From there, everything else is all-wheel-drive: the Panamera 4, Panamera 4S, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Panamera GTS, Panamera Turbo and Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

　　Everything above the base trim is also offered in the Executive body style (except the GTS), which is a longer version of the Panamera that adds more than 4 inches of rear legroom. The 4, 4S, 4 E-Hybrid, GTS and Turbo models are also available in a Sport Turismo body style, which has a bigger hatchback cargo area. All Panameras come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four seats. (A middle rear seat is optional.)

　　The base Panamera comes with quite a bit of standard equipment, including a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (330 hp, 331 lb-ft), 19-inch wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (also known as adaptive suspension or PASM), LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a power hatchback liftgate, front and rear parking sensors, and a push-button ignition.

　　Also standard is partial leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating, dual-zone automatic climate control, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, Bluetooth, a wide-view 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (including a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot), and a 10-speaker audio system with satellite and HD radio as well as USB and auxiliary audio inputs.

　　The Panamera 4 keeps the same standard equipment and uses the same single-turbo 3.0-liter V6 as the standard model but adds all-wheel drive. The Panamera 4S keeps the all-wheel-drive powertrain, but it swaps the engine to a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 (440 hp, 405 lb-ft) and adds a unique dual-exhaust system. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid gets the 2.9-liter engine along with an electric motor and a 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery (for a combined 462 hp, 516 lb-ft) with about 30 miles of all-electric driving range. An air suspension is standard on the hybrid models to support the extra weight of the battery pack.

　　New for 2019, the Panamera GTS uses the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 found in the Turbo models, but in a slightly detuned (453 hp, 457 lb-ft) yet still potent form. Like other GTS models offered by Porsche, the Panamera GTS bundles performance hardware such as the Sport Chrono package, an adaptive air suspension, active suspension management, and a lower ride height with Porsche's Sport Design styling touches (front and rear fascia, side skirts, gloss black trim, and 20-inch wheels) for a lower overall cost than adding them individually. Inside, adaptive 18-way power seats get suede-like trim as do the armrests, sun visors, headliner and steering wheel. There's an optional GTS interior package with embroidered logos, contrast stitching and different seat-belt colors.

　　The more performance-oriented Panamera Turbo makes use of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (550 hp, 567 lb-ft), 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, an adaptive air suspension, keyless entry and ignition, a power-adjustable steering wheel, synthetic-suede roofliner and pillar trim, full leather upholstery, 14-way power front seats with memory settings, heated rear seats, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system.

　　At the top of the ladder, there's the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which adds the hybrid components to the 4.0-liter turbo V8 (for a combined 677 hp and 626 lb-ft). Essentially, standard equipment is the same as on the regular Turbo with the addition of 21-inch wheels, ceramic-composite brakes, the Sport Chrono package, and a second air-conditioning system to cool the car while it's parked.

　　There's a long list of stand-alone or bundled options for pretty much every trim level since Porsche believes that owners should be able to customize their cars to personal taste. You can option the 4 and the 4S with most of the Turbo's standard equipment. Additional highlights for the lineup include various wheel, paint, interior trim and leather specifications; speed-sensitive steering assist; a sport exhaust; power-closing doors; a heated steering wheel; a 21-speaker Burmester audio system; 18-way adaptive sport seats; eight-way power rear seats with memory function; ventilated front and rear seats; massaging front and rear seats; four-zone climate control; a rear touchscreen interface; power rear sunshades; and a dual-screen rear entertainment system.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 Panamera articles

　　

2019 Panamera Highlights

Type: SedanWagonPlug-in HybridSedan

　　Trim: Base44 Executive4 E-Hybrid4S4 E-Hybrid Executive4S ExecutiveGTSTurboTurbo ExecutiveTurbo S E-HybridTurbo S E-Hybrid ExecutiveBase

　　

Base MSRP	$86,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$209/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles